Vermont Fishing

Brook, Brown, and Rainbow Trout

Season: Harvest allowed from the 2nd Saturday in April to October 31, and for ice fishing from January 1 to March 15. Catch-and-release (artificial lures/flies only) is permitted year-round. Size Limit: No minimum length under general inland regulations. Creel Limit: 6 fish combined daily total. Best Timing: Mid-spring (May) through early summer, and the fall (September to October).

Lake Trout

Season: Harvest allowed from the 2nd Saturday in April to October 31, and January 1 to March 15. Size Limit: 18-inch minimum length (Exception: Lake Memphremagog requires a 24-inch minimum). Creel Limit: 2 fish combined daily limit with landlocked salmon (Lake Memphremagog limit is 1 lake trout per day). Best Timing: Ice-out in spring and deep-water trolling in mid-summer.

Landlocked Atlantic Salmon

Season: Harvest allowed from the 2nd Saturday in April to October 31, and January 1 to March 15. Size Limit: 17-inch minimum length. Creel Limit: 2 fish combined daily limit with lake trout. Best Timing: Early spring (April/May) near river mouths and fall.

Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass

Season: Harvest allowed from the 2nd Saturday in June to March 15. Pre-spawn catch-and-release fishing (artificials only) runs until the June harvest opener. Size Limit: 10-inch minimum under general regulations (Lake Champlain requires a 12-inch minimum). Creel Limit: 5 fish combined daily total. Best Timing: Pre-spawn (May) for aggressive bites and warm summer mornings/evenings.

Walleye

Season: 1st Saturday in May to March 15. Size Limit: 18-inch minimum length. Creel Limit: 3 fish daily limit. Best Timing: Early May post-spawn runs and late fall evenings.

Northern Pike

Season: Open year-round for harvest. Size Limit: 20-inch minimum length. Creel Limit: 5 fish daily limit. Best Timing: Winter ice fishing and early spring when they patrol shallow, weedy bays.

Panfish (Yellow Perch, Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Bullhead)

Season: Open year-round for harvest. Size Limit: 8-inch minimum length for Crappie; no minimum for other panfish. Creel Limit: New 2026 inland regulation: 50 fish aggregate daily total, of which no more than 25 can be Black or White Crappie. Best Timing: Year-round; ice fishing is exceptionally productive for yellow perch and crappie.

Muskellunge

Season: Open year-round. Size Limit: N/A (Harvest prohibited). Creel Limit: 0 fish (Catch-and-release only, restricted to artificial lures and flies). Best Timing: Late summer and fall as water temperatures begin to drop.

Lake Champlain

A premier North American fishery famous for world-class bass, landlocked salmon, and lake trout.

Lake Memphremagog

Spans the Canadian border and is highly regarded for its landlocked salmon and lake trout fishing.

Battenkill River

A legendary fly-fishing destination known for its wild, wary brown and brook trout.

White River

One of the longest free-flowing rivers in New England, offering excellent rainbow and brown trout habitat.

Lake Bomoseen

The largest lake entirely within Vermont, offering exceptional largemouth bass and panfish opportunities.

Connecticut River

Forms the eastern border of the state and provides diverse fishing for smallmouth bass and walleye.

Caspian Lake

A deep, clear glacial lake prized for its trophy-sized lake trout and peaceful surroundings.